College of Sciences and Technology

Summer 2011

BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
From The Chair: Greetings from the Biology Department at WWU!

The Biology Department continues to thrive, although the continuing economic downturn has certainly dampened some of our activities. Eight Assistant Professors have joined the Department since 2006. Two of these positions were funded by the state in response to proposals in Cell and Molecular Biology and Behavioral Neurosciences (together with Psychology) and represent real growth in faculty numbers. The new faculty members have expanded our expertise in marine biology, evolutionary biology, cell physiology, and cell and molecular biology. Two were promoted to Associate Professor starting this fall, demonstrating that we made successful choices. Our outstanding office and technical staff does an excellent job of supporting faculty, students, and courses. Our Department is very student centered and is committed to providing an outstanding learning environment for students. As a result, the Biology major remains popular with WWU students. We currently have ~450 majors who keep us busy. We offer several emphases or areas of specialization for the majors. Approximately 100 of our junior and senior majors are emphasizing either cell or cell and molecular biology; 30 focusing on ecology, evolution, and organismal biology; and 30 in marine biology, with the remainder in other emphases or pursuing one of our interdisciplinary degree programs. Many of our students are actively involved in undergraduate research, which gives them the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning and gives them the chance to explore if they want to pursue research as part of their future career. Some students are able to present their results at regional and national meetings; this travel is supported by donations to the Department. We also have a very active masters degree program with ~25 students. The graduate students are terrific assets, both for their research efforts and for the excellent jobs they do as teaching assistants. They also serve as role models and mentors for our undergraduates. We hope that you enjoy reading about the activities of faculty, staff, and students in the remaining pages of this newsletter. Cheers, Joann Otto
Above: Students listen to graduate teaching assistant Caitlin OBrien as she describes organisms in the intertidal zone for Georgianne Connells Biology 101 Summer Course.

Edition features

INDEX:

From the Chair , Introduction 1 - 2 Faculty & Staff News 3 - 13 Undergraduate News 14 - 17 Special Highlights - Field Trip 18 19

Special Highlights - Unique Western 20 - 21 Special Highlights - Instructor Questionnaire 22 Sustainability & Environmental Awareness 23 Community Outreach Activities 24 Thank You / Donors 25

College of Sciences and Technology

Summer 2011

Our Mission:
Our Biology department encompasses areas ranging from molecular biology to ecosystem ecology. This breadth is reflected in our curriculum and in faculty and student research. Our joint mission of teaching and research strongly complement each other and provide students with an educational experience of very high quality. Our mission is to provide an outstanding learning environment that integrates education, scholarship, and service to actively engage students in the biological sciences and to foster their development as lifelong learners.

The Biology Department has set up Facebook pages for Biology students and alumni! Please find and add us by searching for: WWU Biology Alumni & WWU Biology

Check Out The Special Highlights For The Summer Edition:

Read all about Biology 101 field trip to Larrabee State Park to study the intertidal zones. PAGE 18 What really makes this Biology Department unique? From a graduate student and professors perspective! PAGE 20 Read Biology instructor and alumnus Georgianne Connells answers for the questionnaire! You might learn something about her you never knew! PAGE 22

College of Sciences and Technology

Summer 2011

Faculty & Staff News

With research interests in the role of marine mammals in their environment and their interactions with humans, Alejandros current and past students are succeeding in their own research. My former graduate student Austen Thomas finished his MSc thesis on the influence of prey aggregations on the foraging behavior of harbor seals; he is currently a PhD student at the University of British Columbia. Bobbie Buzzell, an undergraduate student, has finished a study imitated by other undergraduate students on the diet of river otters in the San Juan Islands, a species for which we know surprisingly little in this region.

Alejandro Acevedo-Gutierrez

Kelly Cates and Kelsey Scharnhorst, two undergraduate students, will begin this summer a study on the effect of exposure to human activities on the response of harbor seals to boat traffic. Two new graduate students will join the lab this fall: Jennifer Olson and Liliane Dethier, who plan to conduct experiments on the impact of human disturbance on harbor seal behavior.

Associate Professor Ph.D. Cornell University Teaching Interests: Plant growth and development, plant physiology and molecular biology.

Anu Singh-Cundy

Research: Cell-cell interactions during reproductive and vegetative development in plants,

Another academic year has flown by and our amazing spring season has finally arrived. How sweet it is! Take time to stop and smell the roses along the way.

Barbara Broughton

College of Sciences and Technology

Summer 2011

Faculty & Staff News

The exciting academic news from me this year is that I received tenure and co-taught the first international biology course for Biology in La Paz Mexico last summer. I continue to greatly enjoy teaching, and take pride in exciting students about biology. I taught Biometrics (a statistics course for Biology students), Invertebrate Biology, and Marine Ecology. I am also happy to report that the biology department is revising the lab manuals for the introductory biology series, and professional publishers will typeset and print two of the three manuals next yearthis should improve the content and clarity of the material for these important labs.

Benjamin Miner

The department is also working hard to provide student with more quantitative skills, which is something that many students lack when they begin the major. I have also been more involved in outreach for kids. This year, I helped organized several field trips for the children at the Childhood Development Center on campus, and participated in the Wizards at Western program. I plan to pursue similar opportunities in the future. For my research, I investigate how the environment affects the behavior and morphology of marine organisms. I currently have two graduate students, Chris Morgan and Caitlin OBrien, which I co-advise with Dr. Donovan. Chris is studying how predators can alter the timing of important life history events, like when parents give birth or offspring hatch from protected capsules. Caitlin is studying how tides affect how prey can induce defenses to predatorsthe amount of time organisms are submerged influences their exposure to water borne cues from predator and growth rates. I am very pleased with both Chriss and Caitlins progress. Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my family, but also find a little time to play. My wife and I have 5 year-old, twin boys. Recently they each lost their first tooththe same tooth within an hour of each otherwhich put to rest any doubt that they are identical. In the fall, they will start kindergarten. The big news from our family is that we got a dog, Dexter, from the Humane Society last fall. Dexter gets along great with boys and hasnt yet killed any of our chickens, though one was slightly maimed in an unfortunate mishap. As a family, we enjoy spending time in nature, riding bikes, and playing Legos. I also found a little time for my personal interests. I play soccer, volleyball, and drums in a band.

Instructor

Ph.D. University of Washington

Brady Olson

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Summer 2011

Faculty & Staff News

Professor Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Teaching Interests: Genetics and molecular biology. Research: Molecular genetics of haplo-diploid sex determination.

Carol Trent

Instructor Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University Teaching Interests: Ecology, evolution and population dynamics

Carrie Schwarz

My primary research goals include the study of the natural history and genealogy of marine microbial populations that live in places considered extreme environments with an eye towards finding the limits of where life can exist. My students and I spend much of our field work efforts sampling from hydrothermal vents located near plate boundaries at the bottom of the ocean. If you would like to view more about the research I do, please check my website at: http://fire.biol.wwu.edu/cmoyer/research.html

Craig Moyer
Professor Ph.D. Stanford University Teaching Interests: Plant and ecosystem ecology. Research: Effects of plant diversity and functional characteristics on ecosystem processes, nitrogen cycling, carbon cycling.

David Hooper 5

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Summer 2011

Faculty & Staff News

Professor Ph.D. Indiana University Teaching Interests: Cell and developmental biology. Research: Evolution of pattern formation in insect embryos.

David Leaf

My research focuses on the physiological ecology of marine invertebrates, mostly molluscs. I am especially interested in how biotic and abiotic variables affect an animals ability to live successfully in a habitat. Much of my past research has focused on the energetics of swimming and crawling in marine molluscs and on the energetics associated with living in a wave-swept environment.

Deborah Donovan

Assistant Professor Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University Teaching Interests: Evolutionary and ecological genetics. Research Interests: Evolutionary genetics, genomics, and ecology. Hybridization and speciation in host-specific insects.

Dietmar Schwarz

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Summer 2011

Faculty & Staff News

Throughout the years, I have been extremely happy here at Western and particularly in the welcoming and inspiring atmosphere of the Biology Department. This last year was the 5th and final year for me as an Assistant Professor, for I was awarded tenure and the new rank of Associate Professor (effective in the Fall). Wahoo! In addition, it has been an exciting year of teaching Ecology, Evolution, and Systematic Botany. As usual, the students have been great! In my role as Herbarium Curator, I worked with several undergraduate students to mount and archive recently acquired specimens, revise the outdated nomenclature within our existing collections, and image database the entire collection of vascular plants (a huge effort on the part of Kelsey Lorberau!).

Eric DeChaine

Now, my postdoc Kurt Galbreath and I are packing our bags for yet another summer of picking wildflowers in the Arctic to add to our growing collections. Arctic expeditions, such as this one, are at the foundation of my research program focused on investigating how Arctic and alpine species responded to the climatic variability of the Ice Ages. At this point, several aspects of this research are coming to fruition, highlighted by a recent publication in the journal Evolution, a couple papers in Douglasia, and another manuscript based on the work of my previous Masters student, Barry Wendling, in review. I cant wait to see what next year holds in store for us.

Instructor M.S. Western Washington University Teaching Interests: General biology for non-science majors *Go to page 22 to read a special interview with Georgianne! !

Georgianne Connell

My lab studies the molecular pathways of brain circuit formation using the model organism C. elegans (a microscopic worm). A human brain contains at least 100 billion neuronal cells and trillions of connections that must be properly built and maintained. Many of the molecules that control neuronal development are conserved from worms to humans, including human disease genes. The simplicity and accessibility of the C. elegans nervous system allows analysis at single-cell and single-synapse resolution in living animals, and determination of entire molecular pathways.

Heather Van Epps

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Summer 2011

Faculty & Staff News

Senior Instructor M.S. Western Washington University Teaching Interests: Human anatomy and physiology, and organismal biology Research: Prehospital methods to improve survival and preserve function for patients who suffer serious cardiac emergencies. The ResQ Trial investigates new methods of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to improve survival and to protect brain health for patients who receive CPR by emergency medical personnel during a cardiac arrest.

Janice Lapsansky

The IMMEDIATE Trial is testing whether intervention with intravenous Glucose, Insulin and Potassium (GIK vs. placebo) initiated pre-hospital can help minimize heart muscle damage during a heart attack that might otherwise lead to death or long-term heart failure.

As the organismal tech for the biology department my job is busy and varied, no two days alike. I prep most of what is considered organismal biology courses like the intro level courses, non majors biology courses like 101 and take care of the greenhouses and the various cold saltwater environment tanks we have in several locations around the building. I work with the professors of each of my courses to constantly test and improve the labs we offer. Working with such a wide variety of organisms and courses has given me a new appreciation for subjects like the role of fungi in the survival of plants, how to successfully keep saltwater invertebrates in captivity, and how to adapt plants to our teaching greenhouse which can at certain times of the year be a challenging environment. Anyone who thinks being a tech doesnt mean you get to do research would be quite mistaken, it requires constant researching of the latest methods and information across a wide gamut of subjects. Thats what keeps this job so interesting and challenging. In my spare time I ride a Harley Trike with my friends and take care of a number of duties for the Pacific Estuarine Research Society as their Secretary/Treasurer (read that jack of all trades).

Jeannie Gilbert

Jeff continues to teach plant biology, genetics and functional genomics. The Young lab studies cellular transport using tools from the evolving field of Functional Genomics. Our goal is to better understand plasma membrane proton pumps in plants. Proton pumps provide the underlying energy for a variety of fundamental transport-related processes such as cellular homeostasis, mineral and metabolite uptake and transport, cell growth and morphogenesis, and a variety of responses to the environment including stomatal control, tropic responses, and defense related mechanisms.

Jeff Young

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Summer 2011

Faculty & Staff News

For the past several years, Ive taught Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (Biol 205), Cell Biology Laboratory (with David Leaf; Biol 484), and Essentials of Biology Graduate Studies (with Deb Donovan; Biol 598). I enjoy teaching each of these courses. Biol 205 is great fun to teach because most students have no idea of the molecular basis for how cells function; introducing them to these concepts often gets them excited about molecules for the first time. Biol 598 is a course that is designed to introduce first year graduate students to the department and to teaching, so that they develop their teaching skills while they serve as TAs. Because I enjoy teaching, it is great to be able to influence a new generation of teachers in ways that should enhance student learning. Biol 484 focuses on microscopy, image analysis, animal cell tissue culture, and methods Joann Otto for immunofluorescence microscopy. This course was made possible by the funding of a high demand cell and molecular biology proposal by the State of Washington and by an NSF- MRI grant that upgraded our Deltavision microscope. The students get hands-on experience with research microscopes, including the Deltavision. They also learn optics and the basics of image analysis (this part is primarily taught by David Leaf). In the tissue culture part of the course, I teach the basics of culturing animal cells. The students then use the cells they grow to learn how to prepare cells for fluorescence microscopy. This course gives students skills that they can use in technical positions in academia or industry. For my research, I continue to collaborate with David Leaf to investigate the incorporation of actin into the cytoskeleton of sea urchin coelomocytes, using live cell imaging. We are using fluorescently tagged peptides that bind to F-actin in other systems to examine actin dynamics. I am also continuing a small project to image the actin cytoskeleton of the embryo of a jellyfish that I worked on many years ago. The Deltavision microscope provided excellent 3-d images of the embryo, and I am pursuing this project as well. I continue to enjoy chairing the department. We are moving in a good direction, and it is fulfilling to be able to help lead our efforts to improve. Personally, I continue to enjoy gardening and hiking. Jose continues to teach introductory majors courses (Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology & Introduction to Organismal Biology) as well as upper- division cell biology. His research interests include the study of the molecular mechanisms of biological membrane transport and structure and function of ion channels and transporters and the cellular mechanisms of ionic homeostasis.

Jose Serrano-Moreno
After being a Scientific Instructional Technician here for three years work has yet to become routine. There is always new equipment to learn, new people to work with and prep for new experiments. Its part of what makes the job interesting. I very much enjoy maintaining bacteria, C. elegans, Nasonia and culturing animal cells. Additionally I find making the small tweaks that allow the labs to run smoother satisfying.

Kendra Bradford

With the academic year ending Im looking forwards to a summer off to spend time with my ever-changing kids, ages 7 and 9, in beautiful Bellingham and get recharged for the fall.

College of Sciences and Technology

Summer 2011

Faculty & Staff News

One of the biggest changes for students at Western this year was the new waitlist system for registration. The waitlist system means that students no longer have to spend their days and nights checking for open seats in Classfinder, and the culture of holding seats for friends is also a thing of the past. Once a class fills the waitlist begins and any student wanting to get into the course can add his/her name to the waitlist. If a seat opens up in the class, the first person on the waitlist is notified that they are eligible to register for that spot. It has taken a while for everyone to figure out how the waitlist and notification system work, and one of my responsibilities Kim Kolb Ayre over the past year has been helping to educate students and work with the Registrars office on fine-tuning the process. By spring quarter most of the bugs had been worked out and students had become comfortable with the system. While there is still some room for improvement, the waitlist has definitely decreased the number of student complaints during registration and hopefully students will find it easier to get the classes they need as a result. I have a BS in Biology from Pepperdine University, a PhD in Biology from University of Utah, and a MS in Environmental Science from Western. I taught biology at the university level for eight years (three at Western), and I have a research background in plant physiological ecology, toxicology and environmental risk assessment. This will be my fourth year in my current position.

I have had a great year teaching in an area of Biology that I love: Molecular Biology. BI324 (Methods in Molecular Biology) is one of my favorites, I get to have a small class size with a lot of interaction with students. I tried something new this year in my specialty class, Plant Molecular Development and Biotechnology. Students had to design a project and present it to the class as if it were a grant proposal. We had a great time discussing each proposal after it was presented and I was really impressed with the great ideas some students came up with. On the research side of things, Lynn Pillitteri my lab has been working on identifying genes required for the proper development of small pores on the surface of all land plants called stomata. Stomata provide the major route for water and gas exchange between the plant and environment and are necessary for efficient water use and biomass production. Ive had a great bunch of students in my lab working tirelessly to identify plants with alterations in stomatal development or patterning, Im lucky to have such an excellent pool of students to choose from. As always, Ill put my cheer in for plants: GO PLANTS! After all, they can convert light energy into chemical bond energy, how cool is that?!

Assistant Professor Ph.D. Oregon State University Teaching interests: Microbiology, molecular biology, and chemical ecology. Research interests: Secondary metabolites of plant-associated microbes; chemical ecology; plant-microbe interactions.

Marion Brodhagen

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Faculty & Staff News

Once again another year has flown by yet another year of dealing with budget cuts. It has been tough and frustrating at times; but I think our department has done an excellent job figuring out ways to cut while at the same time maintaining the quality of our programs. We are all hoping that this next year things will start to turn around relative to state revenues so we wont have to take any more cuts. I am very excited for the 2011-2012 academic year as we have a pretty large, new class of graduate students coming in 12 new students! Mary Ann Merrill

As weve made it through another school year and look forward to the coming year it is comforting to know that the biology department continues to attract new students and grow. The growth and dynamic nature of the biology department is due in part to the excellent faculty and staff, but I would have to say that it is also due to the unending desire from students to study and understand life. It is an exciting time to study biology and Im continually fascinated by things I learn through interactions with faculty or by attending departmental seminars.

Mark Price

I am into my sixth year as an instructional support technician and should be completing my masters degree as well this year. My graduate research has been looking at the biogeography and evolution of Thermococcus isolates from hydrothermal vent systems of the Pacific, working with my thesis advisor Craig Moyer. With the coming school year on the horizon and increases in the number of class sections being offered, we can look forward to another busy year. During the 2010-11 academic year, I was on sabbatical leave, working on writing a field guide to Pacific Northwest insects, to be published by Seattle Audubon Society. It's been a huge undertaking, as the field guide will include ~1,100 species of insects. For most of the year, I've either been holed up with a microscope, computer, and piles of entomological literature, or I've been staring at countless insects in the vast collections at Oregon State University and Washington State University. Through the process, my knowledge of the region's insect fauna has been greatly expanded, and I'm excited about bringing that knowledge into my teaching in the coming year.

Merrill Peterson

Throughout the year, my students and I have also continued working on a collaborative, NSFfunded project with colleagues at Washington State University and Oregon State University, with whom we are developing web-based tools for identifying and learning about the incredibly diverse assemblage of moth species that live in the Pacific Northwest. Three WWU Biology majors (Kaylin Mayhew, Melanie Davis, and Tyson Stallings) worked on the project all year, and will continue to work on the project this summer. A research technician, John Huddleston, also continued to be involved in the project, despite the fact that he began his graduate studies in the Biology Department in Fall 2010. My two graduate students, Tasha Johnson and Matt Fisher, both finished their MS degrees over the summer and have been teaching at local community colleges (and in our department) since then. We're hoping to publish their research soon!

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Faculty & Staff News

With the recent completion of several construction projects (e.g., new research labs, grad office, and ancillary rooms) my focus his year has been on streamlining systems behind the scenes. I take great pride in being part of the Biology Department. As support staff I see myself as an essential member of a team providing the very best education and research experience to our students.

Peter Thut
I really love how the Biology Department feels like a community. There are many areas of expertise represented, and everyone is working together towards the common goal of excellence in education. I'm very excited to be returning to Western this year, and I can't wait to meet my Fall Quarter students and introduce them to the awesome world of Microbiology. When I'm not doing science, I enjoy hiking, dancing, reading, and spoiling my cats.

Rebecca Rashid
During the academic year, Rogers annual schedule includes fall quarter teaching of the intro majors course Evolution, Ecology & Biodiversity. His upper-division courses (each course every other year) include: Ecology, Vertebrate Zoology, Vertebrate Physiology and Animal Behavior. And Rogers summer field research coursesEcological Methods and Research in Reptile Ecology. (http://fire.biol.wwu.edu/anderson/index.html). In these field research courses students perform cutting edge research, using observationaldescriptive and experimental methods, as they work in teams on several sets of projects. Hence, students develop considerably in research skills and abilities, and they also grow in the Roger Anderson confidence that they are able to think and act as scientists and perform publication-quality research. Roger also mentors several students in research during the academic year. His research focuses on evolutionary ecology of vertebrates, using lizards as model systems.

Assistant Professor Ph.D. Simon Fraser University (B.C. Canada) Teaching Interests: Molecular and general genetics. Research Interests: Chromatin structure and nuclear organization in Drosophila

Sandra Schulze 12

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Summer 2011

Faculty & Staff News

Student Office Assistants

Jaimee Parker

Veronica Kieft

Brittany Bordelon

Biology Alumni, Please let us know your areas of interest, current projects and contact changes. If you have questions or comments, please email grp.cst.biology.alumni@wwu.edu

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Undergraduate News: Presentations, Grants, Published

STUDENT PRESENTATIONS AT PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS/CONFERENCES

Katie Adolphsen Drosophila Conference, Genetics Society of America Kristin Almskaar West Coast Biological Science Undergraduate Conference Kristin Almskaar Evolution 2010 Meeting Amanda Amell Drosophila Conference, Genetics Society of America Rachael Bakker Plant Development Biology Conference Kelly Cates Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammology Kim Duong Evolution 2010 Meeting Harlan Gough West Coast Biological Science Undergraduate Conference Harlan Gough Evolution 2010 Meeting Kyle Hager International Society for Microbial Ecology Conference Nathan Havko Drosophila Conference, Genetics Society of America Sara Kevorkian Drosophila Conference, Genetics Society of America Sean McAllister International Society for Microbial Ecology Conference Sean McAllister CST Leadership Board Meeting Kyle Mears Drosophila Conference, Genetics Society of America Chris Morgan Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Hayley Neher Drosophila Conference, Genetics Society of America Robert Park Plant Development Biology Conference Mark Price International Society for Microbial Ecology Conference Nam Siu Pacific Estuarine Research Society Meeting Rhys Temple West Coast Biological Science Undergraduate Conference Austen Thomas Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals Austen Thomas Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Logan Volkmann West Coast Biological Science Undergraduate Conference

STUDENT RESEARCH GRANTS

Hodgson Graduate Fellowship Tara Callaway, John Huddleston, Aaron Mahoney Biology Faculty Fellowship Maggie Fuqua, Leesa Sorber Biology Alumni Student Research Fellowship Mitchell Lee, Nam Siu Pacific Northwest Shell Society Chris Morgan Chair Research Funds Kristin Almskaar, Harlan Gough, Rhys Temple RSP Undergraduate Students Funding Rachael Baker, Bobbie Buzzell, Kelly Cates North Cascades Audubon Society Bobbie Buzzell, Kelly Cates Washington NASA Space Grant Kevin Eyer

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Undergraduate News: Papers & Awards

PAPERS PUBLISHED WITH STUDENT AUTHORS

Acevedo-Gutierrez, A and S Cendajas-Zarelli* 2011. Nocturnal haul-out patterns of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) related to airborne noise levels in Bellingham, Washington, USA. Aquatic Mammals 37:167174. Farrer*, J & A Acevedo-Gutierrez 2010. Use of haul-out sites by harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in Belligham: implications for future development. Northwestern Naturalist 91:74-79. McAllister, SM, RE Davis*, JM McBeth, BM Tebo, D. Emerson, and CL Moyer. 2011. Bidiversity and emerging biogeography of the neutrophilic iron-oxidizing Zetaproteobacteria. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 77:5445-5457. Miner BG, DA Donovan and KE Andrews*, 2010. Should I stay of should I go: predator and eonspecificinduced hatching in a marine snail. Oecologia 163: 69-78.

STUDENT AWARDS

Declan Barron Memorial Scholarship Rachel Weber Frances and Alfred Baker Memorial Scholarship Bobbie Buzzell Holzman Biology Scholarship Rebecca Schuermeyer Student Athlete Scholarship Andrew Gray Ross Undergraduate Tuition Scholarship Erin Stehr Hodgson Family Scholarship Matthew Ruddell, Elizabeth White, Rachel Weber, Bobbie Buzzell, Rebecca Schuermeyer, Andrew Gray, Erin Stehr Biology Department Tuition Waiver Scholarship Erin Stehr, Rachel Weber, Matthew Ruddell, Eleanor Siler Ross Graduate Tuition Scholarship Nam Siu Outstanding Graduating Senior for Biology Department Logan Volkmann Outstanding Presentation at Simon Fraser University Meeting Logan Volkmann Study Weekend Scholarship from Washington Native Plant Society Jennifer McNew Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Sean McAllister

* = Undergraduate Students 15

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Summer 2011

Research Highlights !"#$%&'()#*+#,-('*.%/#+'*0#1)%#2%%3#$4./4'+&(%#5-*/3)%'%#

!"#$%&'(#)*#+,"-%#&./#0-&.#+*#+1233'45-%6#7-45-%.#7&48'.(5,.#9.':-%4'5"# !"#$%&'()*&+$,-$./*&$0,#1/2&*3$45&$6&7#8&((&*$%/*$9:$:1,&-(,%,1$;1&'-$0*,88,-<$:=*,-<$>?@@A$ The largest reservoir of microbial biomass on Earth is thought to be the deep subsurface, including both terrestrial and marine habitats. Unfortunately, the biodiversity of this ecosystemthe foundation for studying the more complex interactions of these microbial communities within the deep subsurface and between the deep subsurface and communities at the surfaceis also the least well- understood and explored on the planet. This is in large part due to the costs of sample collection and the limitations of sampling the deep subsurface without contamination. In recent years, however, with strong collaboration and improved drilling technologies, some of the mysteries of the deep subsurface biosphere are beginning to come to light. The biological diversity of the deep sea, even at the seafloor, has only been thoroughly explored within the last two decades . Hydrothermal vents and cold seeps such as mud volcanoes are of particular interest as they are formed by systems of charged fluids derived and circulated at depth. Without scientific ocean drilling (through ODP and IODP), sampling of vent effluent and push coring the top meter of sediment are the only windows into the subsurface biosphere.

Fortunately, drilling has allowed the simultaneous collection of uncontaminated microbial communities and associated stratigraphy, petrology, geochemistry, and physical property data. The ability to associate microbial communities with detailed metadata will allow us to better understand microbial biogeography, nutrient cycling, and metabolic strategies.
Continued

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Research Highlights
!"#$%&'(#)*#+,"-%#&./#0-&.#+*#+1233'45-%6#7-45-%.#7&48'.(5,.#9.':-%4'5"# !"#$%&'()*&+$,-$./*&$0,#1/2&*3$45&$6&7#8&((&*$%/*$9:$:1,&-(,%,1$;1&'-$0*,88,-<$:=*,-<$>?@@A$ Cell counts, contamination testing, and limited microbiological experiments are run on every Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) cruise . However, until recently, there have been no microbiology-focused expeditions . With IODP Expeditions 329 and 331 to the South Pacific Gyre and Iheya North hydrothermal vent fields, respectively, several microbiologists collaborating on multiple cultivation-dependent isolation studies and cultivation-independent molecular studies have been able to focus drilling on multiple biologically-relevant sites. On the Deep Hot Biosphere Expedition (IODP Exp. 331), for example, sampling was conducted along a transect of the Iheya North hydrothermal system from recharge zone to vent. This transect encompassed many of the aspects of a hydrothermal system, and may lend insight into the composition and interaction of the deep subsurface biosphere. Since this expedition was completed within the last year, samples are still in the process of being analyzed. Onboard the Chikyu, however, we were able to conduct several successful enrichments of putative iron-oxidizing Bacteria (FeOB), potentially including the Zetaproteobacteria (see epifluorescent micrograph and inoculation plate). These FeOB were found at depth in the oxidized layer of the recharge zone (~27 mbsf) and in oxidized layers closer to the main venting site (~0 .5 to 9 mbsf). Comparisons of these FeOB with those found at and below the surface at other hydrothermal sites around the world are currently under way. Advances in IODP ocean drilling technologies will ultimately allow improved, less contaminated sampling at finer scales, allowing for more detailed studies of deep subsurface microbial communities. There is a huge expanse of unexplored habitats and environmental niches in the marine deep subsurface, with an equivalent amount of unexplored microbial novelty. Future microbiology-focused IODP expeditions, in addition to pending results from concluded expeditions, will allow us to explain a small part of this large microbial reservoir.

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Special Highlights
Studying Inter-tidal Organisms at Larrabee State Park
A group of eight students visited Larrabee State Park to Study Organisms in intertidal areas July 15 with Instructor Georgianne Connell for her Biology 101 summer course. Were trying to learn the ecology of aboitic zones, the time out of the tide, and how heat and dissolved oxygen can affect the many organisms that live in the intertidal transect areas, Connell said. When students arrived at the park, Connell showed them different organisms including sea stars, different types of algae, crabs and much more. The unique thing about studying the intertidal is that you have to really stop and look, then you see so much, Connell said. Every student had their own measurement area to use in order to count and see how many organisms are located in different parts of the intertidal area. Above: Georgianne Connell explains how the organisms in the intertidal zones can live out of water.

I just measured about fifty hermit crabs in my area, you would have never realized how many organisms are in one place unless you take time to look and measure, said Anne Marie, a Western Junior. Connell explained that the diversity of life even within small areas in the intertidal zone is abundant because different kinds of organisms can live out of water. Many times organisms shells and intertidal rocks help preserve water. It was really fun to see all the clams and muscles, I like that Biology classes let you experience and see real things you learn about, said Irene Goble, Western Freshman. Connells Biology 101 summer course usually gets to go on three different field trips. Teaching Assistant Caitlin OBrien, who is a graduate student at Western, thinks summer courses are good for biology because the weather is good to study organisms. I have been a Teaching Assistant for this Biology 101 before and also Biology 349 as well, I like that the department lets students go out in field during summer, OBrien said. It is always fun and since it is a small group, its easier to teach and get to know the students personally. Western Junior Shireen Taheri said she appreciates that Western offers students a lot of opportunities for hands-on learning. I feel like Western focuses on helping students learn and explore and is less about competitive, Taheri said Senior Luke Tanaka enjoyed the field trip and was surprised he learned more about organisms he thought he already knew about. I saw bunch of different crabs and algae I never knew about, and I lived in Alaska, but its pretty different here, even though looks similar, Tanaka said.

Above: Western Freshman Irene Goble inspects the organisms in her area.

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Special Highlights
Photos from Larrabee State Park Field Trip

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Special Highlights
What Makes Westerns Biology Program Unique? I love this department, they are all extremely helpful and there is a definite team effort here, said 2nd year grad student Maggie Fuqua. Westerns Biology department really cares about their students. Fuqua has always been interested in neuroscience and for her undergrad she received a Biology degree with a cell emphasis. The class that was a game changer for me in the Biology department was neurodevelopment, it was my favorite class and I took it a quarter after I graduated actually, Fuqua said.
Maggie Fuqua Fuqua has worked with professor Jose-Serrano Moreno for 4 years, is his current grad student and says that he is just one example of helpful and inspiring Biology professors.

Joses enthusiasm is what drew me to his lab, he loves science so much and it shows in his teaching and his dedication to his students, Fuqua said. Ive never seen him turn a student away that needed help, hes always extending his office hours and providing extra help for his students - myself included! He is so patient and his passion really helps students understand more difficult concepts. Moreno has been at Western since September 2007 and is a cell physiologist. He studies electrical signaling of the cells and specializes in electricity in biological systems and sees how the atoms and charged ions work together.
Professor Jose-Serrano Moreno

Having continuous research projects and giving undergrads and graduate students research opportunities is part of my teaching goal, Moreno said.

Currently Fuqua is working on research of the pannexin-1 hemichannels, which are extremely large channels that can permit ions and small molecules to move in and out of the cell and this is key to intercellular communication. Communication between cells is important and happens continuously in our body. I am trying to figure out how the channel works, since it has been implicated in seizure and stroke, and is also key for signaling in our taste buds, Fuqua said. Using electrophysiology, we can see how they close and open, and deduce their relative size. Pannexin-1 is everywhere in our body such as our brain and heart and learning how it works is crucial to understanding how it participates in normal and pathological processes.

Continued

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Special Highlights
Cells are complex, they can sense changes and receive chemical or physical signals, Moreno said. I study how cells work for our whole body, which includes organ, skin and digestive systems. Everything that is dynamic inside or outside our body has continuous cell communication. Fuqua appreciates all that the Biology Department has to offer its students and hopes to continue learning in her research. I always try to keep contact with students and I can remember names of students all the time, Moreno said. You really dont get that kind of recognition from professors in a lot of other colleges and the research opportunities here are priceless. Fuqua said something that really sets Western apart compared to other universities is it has many undergraduate students who get research experience, which is uncommon at a lot of larger schools. Moreno said the sizes of classes here are usually never more than 100 students and he and other professors always try to help students and make one-on-one interactions so they learn better. It is really easy to connect with professors, Fuqua said.

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Special Highlights
Georgianne Connell
1) What series of classes do you teach at Western? BIO 101 at WWU 2) How long have you been at Western teaching? Just hit 10 years! 3) What do you think sets Western's Biology department apart from other colleges? Where do I start? First, our location is pretty amazing. Having natural resources like the Puget Sound and Sehome Hill nearby means that even non-major classes can do field work, which makes the science that students are learning more meaningful and relevant. Shannon Point Marine Center in Anacortes is a unique program to WWU and although it is 50 minutes away, allows students who want to specialize in marine biology to take field courses and participate in cutting edge marine research. The fact that Western is a mid-sized regional college affords students the privilege of getting to know their professors and to participate in faculty research. 4) What is your goal as a Biology teacher? My goal is for students to learn enough biology to view and analyze their world from a more educated perspective. This means that they will be able to read and critically evaluate science in the media and to discriminate between reliable and unreliable statements pertaining to science. The take-home is that they will become citizens that are science literate. Graduates who vote and make informed decisions because they will be able to understand and critically weigh all the evidence. My hope for them is that they go away with a greater appreciation for biodiversity and an understanding of how they fit into biological systems.

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Sustainability and Environmental Awareness

The Biology Department is one of four buildings on campus that are participating in the 10 x 12 pilot program for the Office of Sustainability. Biology staff members Kendra Bradford, Mary Ann Merrill, and Peter Thut are the department coordinators for this program. A list of their efforts to date for program:
FoodPlus Bin (start date 4/25) Have SSC FoodPlus compost bin for building. 18 bins with signs have been put into labs and prep rooms for paper towel collecting. Two locations have bins for all compostable trash with staff and faculty notified their location and proper usage. Autoclave Hood exhaust reduced (start date 4/26) Hood over autoclaves in room 488 has been on high 7 days a week except from 5am to 1am. Exhaust was changed to low all the time. High on the exhaust is around 1700cfm, and low is around 450cfm. Computer Power-Downs (start date 3/6) Have 29 common use computers that have generally been left on all the time. Put signs on each one that it should be shut down after use. Have work study turn off any found on Friday afternoon. Fume Hoods Closed (start date 3/22) Have 39 fume hoods in the building, all but 6 of them are variable speed (reduces air flow when hood sash closed). They are mostly kept closed; there have been signs on lab hoods for a few years. Now we have signs on all 33 variable speed hoods plus work study closes all found open Friday afternoon. Dumpster Pick-Up reduced (3/15) Dumpster has been on a 3x week pick-up, reduced to 2x week pick up. 23

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Community Outreach Activities

Graduate Students:
Volunteering on the vessel Snow Goose with the Bellingham Marine Life Center Help present ocean concepts at the 2011 Youth Earth Summit at Skagit Community College Helping faculty speak to a group of students from Whatcom Hill Waldorf School about human anatomy and physiology Talking to a group of 8th graders from Blaine Middle School about the research in the lab for the Northwest Access to Campuses program Developing a series of activities and a poster in order to teach the concept of Ocean Acidification to a K-12 audience Volunteering at the Sardis Raptor Center Volunteer at Community Food Bank Guest speaker at LaConner High School career day Assisted with COSEE (Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence) workshop at Shannon Point Marine Center for Community College faculty members Microscope demonstration during Compass to Campus Microscope demonstration for 8th grade class at Chinook Middle School in Seatac Field trip and science fair volunteer for Hydaburg, Alaska School

Faculty / Staff:
Mentor and judge for the Columbia Elementary School Science Fair Provided lab experience for and 8th grade class at the Waldorf School Serve on the Executive Board for the Whatcom County EMS and Trauma Care Council Co-Chair for the Continuous Quality Improvement Committee for EMS in Whatcom County Answer calls from the public regarding questions about insects Serve on the Rhagoletis Technical Advisor Group for the Fruit Panel of the North American Plant Protection Organization Judge at the Sunnyland Elementary School Science Fair Compass to Campus tour of department Loan spriometers to Sehome High School physiology class Give advice to 3rd-12th graders for science fair projects Give greenhouse tours for small groups Give assistance to High School science teachers Provide space for monthly Lichen Group meeting Served as community advisor for Bellingham High School students culminating project Set up thermocycler to do PCR for a high school class Gave old microbiology media plates we no longer use to elementary students for science projects Made bacteria cultures for Skagit Valley Colleges micro tech Presented a series of lectures for the Academy of Lifelong Learning

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Thank You For Reading WWU Biology Newsletter Summer Edition!

MAKE A DONATION TO THE BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE WWU FOUNDATION

Online One-time or recurring gifts can be made online at www.wwu.edu/give By Phone Please call 360-650-3027 By Check Please make checks payable to the WWU Foundation and write the area you wish your gift to support in the memo line of your check. Mail checks to: WWU Foundation, 516 High Street OM 430, Bellingham, WA 98225-9034

This is how your donation dollars are spent:

Guest Lecturers Donations also bring speakers from throughout the world to our campus, introducing Western students and our community to new ideas and perspectives. New Technology Private support is used to provide new technologies to enhance classroom learning and keep our curriculum on the cutting-edge. Professional Conferences Contributions provide funding to enable students and faculty to present their work at professional conferences and network with other professionals in their field. Graduate Student Emily Grason was awarded The Crustacean Society (TCS) Best Student Presentation Award for her presentation !Non- consumptive effects in a marine food chain with both native and invasive species" at the SICB Meeting in Seattle this year. Scholarships With more than two thirds of students requesting financial aid, scholarships provide important financial support and the vote of confidence that many students need to stay motivated in their studies.
Newsletter Designed, Edited & Larrabee State Park Photos by Christina Crea

Biology Department Donors July 1, 2010 June 30, 2011

Thank you to our wonderful donors who have been so generous!
Roger Anderson Thomas and Adele Andrews Marcia Arnold Richard Baker Daniel Bennett Christopher and Tracy Betcher Richard I. Bowden Ann M. Boyce Dana and Robert Bracht Laura Brady David Bray Richard and Marion Bremer Ellen Broad Marion L. Brodhagen Norman Van Wagner Bruner Richard and Dolly Buckingham Thomas and Joan Butler Barry Canaday Scott and Jennifer Choi Paul and Debbie Chudek Jack and Lynn Clausen Sherry Paula Cline Loralyn M Cozy Ted Crosby Patricia Louise Dean Anita Donaldson Crystal Driver Kim Le Duong Robert Ellison Sherry Renee Funston Katherine and Gary Goe Peter Greenburg Mark and Linda Grinter Greg and Gail Gronemyer Lyle Haataja Carrie A. Hjort William Hlavacek Heather and Roger Housholder Larry Jerdal Kevin K. Johnson Barry and Pamela Kaiser Donald B. Keith, Jr. John Kennison John Knutzen Nancy and Richard Koch Paul Korsmo Lyle and Linda Kuhn Richard and Debra Leon Homer and Ellen Lowe Michael Fredrick Luchino Shawn MacFarlane-Pleis Arnar Magnusson Harry McCartney Susan McGregor Ruth McKee Ronald Medcalf Karen Mellema-Steensma Robert and Linda Moreno Aaron M. Moss Robert Mullen James and Christie Nelson Larry and Kathleen Nelson Scott O'Leary David Osborn Douglas Overdorff Roy Pearmain Michael and Joann Ray Nick Reeves and April Fischer Nancy Renison Ann M. Risvold Daniel Robertson Charles and June Ross Amber Dawn Ruskell Douglas Salkeld Lane and Jill Savitch Mary Scheibler Robert and Carolyn Scheldrup Jennie and Michael Sheaffer Daniel E. Sherman Anu Singh-Cundy Douglas and Karen Smith Ronald and Lavon Smith Nancy Marie Dahl Tacconi Robert and Dova Thirsk Brian Thompson Lillian Thoreen John Thoreson Denny Walters Mary Lou White Chris and Gail Whitley Sheila Wilson-Murray Samuel Zehaie Mark and Janet Zenor